School Safety Part 2

An episode of IASA Podcast

The Illinois Association of School Administrators is the state's premier advocacy organization for public school superintendents. This podcast tackles the most important issues facing public education in Illinois and provides knowledge and insight from experts about how to run the best school district possible. Our podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

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Greg Dietz, an assistant superintendent at Maine Township HSD #207, has utilized computer technology, rather than face-to-face interviews, to interview job applicants for the district. In this podcast, Dietz discusses if video interviewing has increased the pool of candidates, the quality of candidates, how districts can get started with video interviewing and if the district exposes itself to legal troubles using this method. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

Michael Doyle and Stacy Reagan, both instructional coaches at Central CUSD #301 in Burlington, launched a podcast series this school year that uses interviews to highlight district issues and programs. In this IASA Podcast, we speak to Doyle and Reagan to learn what steps they took to begin a podcast, what topics they cover and see if it's been a worthwhile experiment. The IASA Podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

Dr. Adam Ehrman, superintendent of New Berlin CUSD #16, has been studying stress among superintendents as part of his dissertation. In this episode, Ehrman discusses findings from his research, which shines new light on what triggers stress, what superintendents experience the most stress and ways to alleviate stress. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

In this episode, IASA speaks to attorney David Braun, with the law firm Miller, Tracy, Braun, Funk & Miller, Ltd., about the possible effects a law signed last year that allows children with debilitating conditions to take medical marijuana to school, as well as what it would mean for school districts if marijuana is legalized. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

After seeing the Undercover Boss television show, Dr. Dale Mitchell, superintendent at Homewood SD #153, tried the concept out in his district - minus the makeup. The process was eye opening, Mitchell says, and he encourages other veteran superintendents to spend the day with their staff. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

Heather Calomese, Executive Director of Special Education Services for the Illinois State Board of Education, speaks to IASA Associate Director Dr. Rich Voltz about changes in how funding for IDEA and preschool will be distributed. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

The dynamics between superintendents and union officials can sometimes create friction, but it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, IASA Associate Director Dr. Rich Voltz speaks to Larry Frank, a research specialist for the Illinois Education Association, about developing positive relations between union representatives and administrators. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

Maine Township High School District #207 was one of 25 school districts in the U.S. to be honored as one of the “Most Innovative School Districts” for its unique approaches to expand and support teacher learning and student success both during and after high school. The award was provided by AASA and the Successful Practices Network (SPN). In this podcast, IASA speaks to Superintendent Dr. Ken Wallace about the steps his district is taking to improve student learning. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

Physical education classes at Consolidated High School District 230 look much different than what people grew up with. Students pedal on stationary bikes through virtual mountains and girls dance while wearing a heart monitor. In this episode, IASA speaks to Sean Airola, division chair for physical education, health and drivers education, at District 230 about the innovative program. Our podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

In this episode, IASA Associate Director Dr. Rich Voltz speaks to Ralph Grimm, acting Chief Education Office for ISBE, on new guidance ISBE released about the new definition of an instructional day. Grimm encourages districts to utilize the guidance and think outside-of-the-box in developing ways to improve student achievement. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

In this episode, Dr. Rich Voltz speaks to Dr. PJ Caposey about his new book, "Manage Your Time or Time will Manage You." Caposey is also superintendent of Meridian CUSD #223. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

In this episode, Dr. Rich Voltz, IASA Associate Director, speaks to Dr. Nancy Blair, Professor Emerita of Leadership Studies at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, about how superintendents can be effective school leaders and how to cultivate the next generation of school leaders.

Have you ever thought about pushing back the start time to the school day in your district? Well, Barrington CUSD #220 did just that last school year. Listen to our new podcast with Barrington's superintendent, Dr. Brian Harris, on why the district embarked on this mission, what challenges they encountered and if the district is already starting to see benefits? This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

In this episode, Jason Nevel, assistant director of communications for IASA, speaks with Jennifer Gill, superintendent of Springfield SD #186, on the district's efforts to enroll more students in Advanced Placement courses. Springfield was one of the district's selected for a pilot program in 2017 to work with the non-profit, Equal Opportunity Schools, to boost participation, especially among minority students. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

In this episode, Dr. Rich Voltz, IASA Associate Director, speaks to Hutsonville CUSD # 1 Superintendent Julie Kraemer, on why she went through nine months of training to become a certified police officer, giving her the ability to carry a gun in school and help keep students safe in the event of a school shooting. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

In this episode, Dr. Rich Voltz of IASA speaks to Dr. Lindsey Hall, superintendent of Mahomet-Seymour CUSD #3, about issues with how schools report absenteeism, differences between chronic truancy and chronic absenteeism under ESSA and how these calculations can impact schools. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

In this episode, IASA Associate Director Dr. Rich Voltz speaks to Merry Brownlow, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in Riverside District 96, about how to use video to improve instruction and the pros and cons of using video in teacher evaluations This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

In this episode, IASA Associate Director Dr. Rich Voltz speaks to Tad Everett, superintendent of Sterling CUSD #5, about what he learned from piloting the Quality Framework in his district. The effort, Everrett says, was meaningful and led to important discussions about how to improve climate for students. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

In this episode, Dr. Rich Voltz speaks to Tara Tighe Chandler, curriculum director at Paxton Buckley Loda CUSD #10, about how the district is using data to help tell its story and improve instruction. PBL has partnered with the ECRA Group to develop an overall growth score based on local norms, rather than relying on standardized test scores to gauge student progress.
This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

In this episode, IASA Associate Director Dr. Rich Voltz speaks to Vienna HSD #133 Superintendent Josh Stafford. Vienna ranks as the third least adequately funded district in the state. EBM dollars, Stafford says, is helping the district rehire staff, enhance programs and catch up on much-needed maintenance projects. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

In this episode, IASA Associate Director Dr. Rich Voltz speaks to Dr. Julie Schmidt, Superintendent, Kildeer Countryside CCSD #96 in Buffalo Grove. Schmidt served on the Illinois Balanced Accountability Measure committee and subsequently ESSA committee. Her district volunteered for a pilot program with implementing the framework. Schmidt discusses the Quality Framework works and how it can benefit school districts. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

In this episode, IASA Associate Director Dr. Rich Voltz speaks to Sebastian Kapala, assistant director of operations at the Lake County High Schools Technology Campus, about career and technical education in Illinois today. Kapala discusses how it fits with vocational training, preparing students for the digital age, and how the school fits academic courses into its learning environment, among other things. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

Managing a school budget is one of the most important jobs a superintendent does. Dr. Bill Phillips, a retired superintendent who now serves as IASA field services director, is an expert in the area. In this episode, Phillips discusses ways school districts can save money, strategies for crafting a budget and details how important it is to understand the ins and outs of school finance. The IASA Podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

IASA associate director/legal counsel Sara Boucek discusses how implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act is going in Illinois and details what superintendents need to know about new school designations being rolled out as part of the law. This podcast is sponsored by American Fidelity. Consider American Fidelity for a different opinion on employer benefit solutions for education.

The Illinois Association of School Administrators will be hosting a New Superintendents Conference August 1-2 in Springfield. Dr. Rich Voltz of IASA talks about what attendees can expect to learn at the conference and how they can build a support network for their first year on the job.

Round Lake Area Schools CUSD #116 was among 10 school districts in Illinois chosen last year to participate in ISBE's competency-based learning pilot. Dr. Donn Mendoza, deputy superintendent, discusses how the effort is going and what it took for his school district to implement the change.

Dr. Heidi Podjasek, director of professional development at Oswego Community Unit School District 308, discusses why and how her district switched to a trauma-informed care approach to better understand student behavior and help students stay on track.

School safety security expert, Ken Trump, joins IASA podcast to discuss ways school superintendents can keep their buildings safer. Trump encourages superintendents to focus most on peoples and procedures rather than products and hardware.

Former IASA Communications Director Mike Chamness, who is now chairman of the Illinois Terrorism Task Force, discusses the 13 recommendations the School Safety Working Group sent to the governor. Among ideas is to expand uses of countywide sales tax and more information sharing between schools and law enforcement.

In this episode, Township High School District 214 Superintendent David Schuler discusses how his district is addressing the teacher shortage problem by growing their own educators. Over three years, the initiative has placed just over 300 students in the teacher pipeline.

Lemont School District 113A Superintendent Dr. Courtney Orzel discusses why she wanted to become a superintendent, why more women are entering administration, finding a balance between work and home life and how her district crawled out of financial ruin.

IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark discusses why it was important two bills on administrative caps and debt structuring were defeated, as well concerns IASA has with the so-called "shared superintendent" bill. Also, Clark discusses the budget, pension shift and more.

Mark Doan, superintendent of Effingham School District, joins IASA podcast to discuss "Leadership, Creativity and Innovation," a new teaching model deployed in the district that is adapted to the 21st century.

Mark Jontry, president of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, speaks to IASA about findings from the group's survey on Illinois' teacher shortage, as well as provides recommendations to fix the problem.